Wednesday, January 19, 2011 - Remembering Our Place

     A good book creates a "cone of silence" in which other voices fade into white noise as characters unfreeze and proceed with their lives. I've taken Jane Austen's Mansfield Park everywhere with me to snatch moments with Fanny Price and the Bertram family. Fanny Price lives in her own "cone of separation" and silence due to the "kindness" of her wealthy uncle who rescues her from a life of poverty to live at Mansfield Park. Her comparatively lower station, however, only serves to underscore her poverty by barricading her from certain activities and society enjoyed by the rest of the family. A neighboring aunt never lets Fanny forget her "place" and finds pleasure both in ignoring and humiliating her niece in the name of charity. On the other hand, Fanny's high moral standards and tender conscience separate her even further from her self-serving relatives. Their tensions and schemes often cause her to retreat to her attic room where she finds comfort and peace in her own simple surroundings. 
     God promises the Peace our hearts long for when we snatch moments to seek His Face rather than what's in His wallet. Letting Him envelop our thoughts and fill our hearts lowers the volume of the world's reminders of our alien situation. God calls us to "live radiantly" (Sarah Young) in His Presence by receiving all we find there with gratitude. His Kindness and Love draw us into His Presence to bless us from a heart of Love instead of obligation. Our poverty in spirit opens space for Him to unload treasure after treasure from His vast wealth Peace, Blessing, and Satisfaction.  
     Lord God Almighty, we can find You in the strangest places when we look for You: in the darkness of loneliness, separation, anxiety, sickness, alienation. Teach us to seek Your Face with excitement and anticipation as well as in difficult times. We want to rise above always having to be "driven" to You; we want to desire Your Presence in every circumstance. Create a thirst for Your Presence in us that overcomes our selfish nature. Please, teach us to empty ourselves  so You can fill us with the desire to seek Your Face. People have died searching for temporary treasure. Help us live to search for the treasure of knowing You as God of our  personal lives and may we live in gratitude for the blessings that come with knowing You. 
     

"As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, 

and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him." 

Genesis 15:12     

"My heart says of You, "Seek His face!" Your Face, LORD, I will seek." 

Psalm 27:8

"You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." 

Jeremiah 29:13

"And the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

Philippians 4:7

Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest, Jesus Calling, and Mansfield Park
Photo from Photobucket